Determining whether you need rehab or detox involves an honest self-assessment and the decision to seek medical advice.
Suppose you or someone you know is suffering from an addiction to alcohol, drugs, or any other illicit substance. In that case, you must get to know the signs and symptoms of addiction to receive the necessary addiction treatment.
Educating yourself on this disease will help you understand the gravity of the situation and seek help for those suffering. Follow these guidelines for determining if you need rehab or detox.
The Process When Deciding on the Best Treatment For You
Rehab is a vital step for those recovering from an addiction. When addicts don’t receive the necessary addiction treatment, they won’t overcome the problem. The earlier the signs and symptoms are noticed, the higher the chance of preventing any long-term damage from occurring.
The best way to work out whether or not you need rehab is to take part in an honest self-assessment and follow that up with a medical consultation where you seek a professional’s advice based on your findings.
Is it Dependence or Addiction?
Not everybody who takes part in the usage of drugs and alcohol is addicted to them. Some individuals may develop a dependence on the substance but won’t exhibit any addiction-like behaviors. Here are the different types of usage and how to identify which one you may be showing.
Dependence
The dependence on a substance can be identified by the body’s reaction when the person has reduced or quit using the substance. If the body starts to exhibit withdrawal symptoms after the decision to quit has been made, the person in question is most likely suffering from a dependency issue.
Addiction
Addiction is a chronic disease with various genetic, psychological, and environmental factors that may inhibit the person from controlling their drug use. The drugs can alter the addict’s state of mind and continue to use the drugs despite any harm they may cause. Uncontrollable cravings can typically identify addiction.
Signs That You Need Treatment
Determining whether or not you need rehab all comes down to the severity of your case and the number of symptoms you may be exhibiting. Uncontrollable cravings are the best way to identify addiction in someone. This disease can change the way the brain works and lead to destructive behaviors.
When your usage of a substance begins to control all aspects of your life, from your social circle, daily activities, and physical health, you may need to consider seeking medical help in the form of a rehab program.
Physical Signs of an Addiction
Dependance can lead to addiction, and the physical signs may be the first to appear. When determining whether or not a person needs rehab, you must look for the following symptoms;
- An increased tolerance. To achieve the desired high, addicts will start to use more and more of the substance as their body begins to adjust and become more tolerant.
- Changes in appetite. Substances such as marijuana can increase a person’s appetite, while cocaine and other opioids will suppress the want for food due to their side effects.
- Withdrawal symptoms start to show. If the person begins to show signs whenever they do not take the drug regularly, their body has already begun to create a dependency on the drug.
- Obvious outward symptoms include cravings, constipation or diarrhea, trembling, seizures, sweating, irritability, mood swings, restlessness, feelings of discomfort, and any other abnormal behavior.
- They have disturbed sleeping patterns. Some addicts will have insomnia due to the effect the substance has on their brain.
- They are showing signs of weight loss and poor hygiene, and a general lack of interest in appearance.
Mental Signs of Addiction
The psychological signs of an addiction are slightly harder to identify and will manifest themselves differently in everyone. The most common mental symptoms an addict may display include;
- Addicts cannot stop using a substance due to painful withdrawal symptoms or feeling like they can’t function without using the drug.
- Continued use of the substance despite the health consequences. Alcoholics increase their chances of developing alcoholic hepatitis when they begin to abuse it.
- They are struggling to control or understand emotions. Sometimes the addict will feel that it is easier to drink and forget the problem rather than dealing with it. This is a big sign that there is a severe problem going on.
- Taking larger doses to achieve the desired high due to the tolerance.
- Constantly thinking about where the next dose will come from, when it will happen and how it will happen.
- They are engaging in risky behaviors to facilitate substance abuse.
When dealing with addiction, educating yourself of the signs and symptoms is a great way to realize the severity of the condition and determine which route will be best when seeking treatment.
Once you have worked out whether you or a person you know is suffering from this disease or not, finding the proper help will be a lot easier. The next step is coming to terms with what is involved in the treatment and what it will take to get through the process.
